Saturday, March 17, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Travis Jarome, Sports Information Director

NORTH GEORGIA COMPLETES SERIES SWEEP OF LANDER
St. Patrick’s Day unkind to Lander wearing green lids

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – North Georgia College & State University was shutout for the first five innings of the third game against Lander University here in Peach Belt Conference action. However, the Saints did not give up and eventually won the game 2-1 on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning to sweep the series from Lander.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, the Saints struck for a single run to tie the game after six. Freshman Craig Brisson singled to start the inning, but was later forced out at second when Andre Airich hit the ball to first. With Airich at first and one down, Josh Tate singled up the middle to advance Airich to second with one out in the inning. After another fielder's choice, Justin Rickett hit a five-hopper to the third baseman, Adam Young, and the ball managed to slide under his glove to score Airich and tie the game at 1-1.

After holding Lander (10-18, 3-12 PBC) scoreless in the top of the seventh inning, which included Daniel Petitti throwing out his 17th runner of the season at second trying to steal, the Saints struck again in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman Brett George worked a full-count walk off of starter Daniel Hinchberger (4-3) to start the inning. Senior Creston Warner followed with another walk to put runners at first and second with no outs. Petitti dropped a sacrifice bunt down the third base line on a 1-2 count, and catcher Justin King elected to throw the ball to third. The throw was late, and the bases were loaded for the Saints with no outs. Following a strikeout, Airich worked a bases-loaded walk off Hinchberger, bringing home George to extend the Saints win streak to five, and give them wins in 10 of their last 12 games.

Dustin Wellborn (1-0) received the win after pitching a scoreless sixth inning in relief of starter Zach Black, who pitched six innings allowing one run off of eight hits.

In game one, the Saints relied on the arm of sophomore reliever Garrett Lussi to record a 8-4 victory.

Lussi (3-0) came in to relieve starter Mitch Williams in the third, and pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits.  He did not allow a walk and struck out four to pick up the victory. Freshman Mike Peters recorded his fourth save of the season, pitching 1 1/3 innings of relief.

After falling behind 1-0, the Saints scored two runs in the bottom of the third sans hit to take the lead.  Freshman Brad Hall led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third when Creston Warner’s fly ball was mishandled in right field by Hunter Ruoss.  Hall scored on a Petitti groundout to tie the score at 1-1, and Warner scored on a Craig Brisson groundout to give the Saints their first lead of the game at 2-1.

The Bearcats took the lead back in the top of the fourth inning following a pair of hits to take a 3-2 lead.  Lander extended their lead to 4-2 in the top of the fifth on a solo homerun by Malcolm McLeod.

North Georgia took the lead back in the bottom of the sixth, plating a pair of runs to take a 5-4 lead.  Following a trio of walks, the Warner reached on a fielder’s choice that allowed Kevin Morrison to score the tying run.  The next batter, Petitti, was able to punch the ball down the leftfield line for a double, allowing Anders Oster to score from third giving the Saints the one-run lead.

The Saints added an insurance run in bottom of the eighth inning when Andre Airich drove home Warner on a sacrifice fly after Petitti sacrificed the senior to third.  Sophomore outfielder Josh Tate then added to the lead driving home Craig Brisson from first with a double to left.  The sophomore scored himself, thanks to two throwing blunders by the Bearcats.  The leftfielder Gabe McCann threw the ball wildly into the infield, allowing Tate to advance to third.  Pitcher Evan Christian picked the ball up on the first base line, and threw wildly to third which allowed Tate to score – giving the Saints an 8-4 lead.

Derek Wilson (0-6) remained winless on the season, pitching 5 1/3 inning and allowing all five runs on just two hits.  Only two runs were earned, and he walked six Saints in the loss.

North Georgia (14-11, 6-3 PBC) returns to action Tuesday afternoon, traveling to Erksine for a 2:30 p.m. start time.

-NGCSU-

Related Item: Box Score
Related Item: Box Score

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